How long should a compact digital camera last?

It's very true that the camera manufacturers aren't building their compact cameras like they used to less than a decade ago. However, does that mean we should expect a new one to keep shooting for only a year?

Life expectancy of a digital point-and-shoot

How long should a new compact digital camera last?

1-2 years
2-3 years
3-5 years
More than 5 years

My first compact digital camera was a 2-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 950 that I bought in 1999 for a little more than $800. That camera is still fully functioning. However, there are no fixed-lens compact cameras in that price range, only digital SLRs and interchangeable-lens cameras. Currently, the compact market taps out at $500 and those are the high-end megazooms that, sadly, I wouldn't expect to last more than three years. They're just not built for long lives of regular use.

I'm convinced that current digital point-and-shoots priced less than $300 will work for a maximum of three years before dying. Basically, for every $100 you spend up to $300 you'll get one year of regular use. After three years of use, you're shooting on borrowed time. Spend more than $300 and chances are you'll have a paper weight before the camera will earn out.

It's a safe assumption that the more someone spends on a camera, the better they'll treat it, too. That's one reason I would expect digital SLRs to last longer than an average compact camera (at least the midrange-to-professional models). The ones I'm on the fence about are interchangeable-lens cameras since they have a lot in common with point-and-shoot cameras, but seem to have higher-quality construction.

Of course, this is all just my opinion based on testing a lot of cameras and reading a lot of user reviews from disappointed shoppers who weren't thrilled with replacing a camera so soon after it was purchased. What are your experiences or expectations?

About the author

Joshua Goldman is a senior editor for CNET Reviews, covering cameras, camcorders, and related accessories. He has been writing about and reviewing consumer technology and software since 2000.
See full bio